Wednesday, October 1, 2008

Any tips for packing on the pounds?

Obviously, Jake & I don't need any additional weight. Nathan, on the other hand, has his doctors all up in arms about getting him to grow. Monday night, Hollie from Kids Who Count, came and weighed Nathan.

Here are the stats:

Weight: 15 lbs 7 oz. Height: 26 1/2 inchesHead: 44 cm

Hollie chatted with me about Nathan's growth and about other health problems Nathan has been having over this past month. The prelone (steroid) to open up Nathan's windpipe did wonders. However, after his 3 day spurt of meds, he did great for a few days and then things have gone back to where they were. I want to throw my hands up in the air and give up sometimes. Nathan gained a whopping 5 oz this month and has dropped to the first percentile. Hollie said to me, "Aren't you concerned about his growth?" as if it wasn't fazing me at all. I don't know what's up; I just sometimes get the feeling lately from the doctors and others that they think I'm neglecting Nathan. I'm going to be making a phone call to go in and see Dr. Bennett again soon.

8 comments:

A friend of mine who was trying to get her son to put on weight so he could get his g-tube out would give him a piece of cheese cake everyday (she would buy the big ones at Costco). It worked for them, I don't know if Nathan would be up for that though...

Is he on formula? If so what kind? I know that you can get the kind that has added rice. We had Allie on it for a while. It helped alot. But I do know that babies eat when they are hungry and wont eat more than they want. I do know of a lady whos daughter was only 20 lbs at 2 years and they had her on pediasure. Maybe you could try that!!

I don't know what you could feed him that would pack on the pounds, but I do know that you are not neglecting your baby! If Nathan is anything like his cousins, I'm sure a few pieces of chocolate/cookies/cheese would help. At least he's gaining and not loosing!!

If the medical professionals are so concerned with him gaining weight, have they given you any suggestions? I know that our daughter had some trouble gaining weight in the beginning & she was tube fed. She had everything from increased calories in her formula by making it more concentrated, to even adding a glucose additive to increase her calories (polycose). Maybe those are some options to try?! Hope he can meet their expectations... I'm SURE he's exceeding your!! And BTW - you're NOT neglecting your baby!! He looks like he's very well cared for to me!

I think that Nathan looks like he is a healthy weight. Kylan weighs about 18.5 lbs and he is 13 months old. When I took him for his year old check up he wasn't even 1% for his weight. The doctor thought he looked fine and didn't seemed concerned. If he doesn't gain more weight at 15 months then they will put him on a high calorie drink. Don't stess too much, I think your doing a great job!

You are NOT neglecting Nathan! You're a great mom. As for packing on the pounds I am the expert although I don't think my methods will work for Nathan right now...unless the dr's give the OK to feed him chocolate milkshakes through the tube.

How many feeding issues we all have between all of our heart kids? Thatcher is still an odd eater. He really wants to eat all day long. He just started sleeping through the night last week, yes he is 14 months old. I started him on WHOLE, Lactose Free milk in mid september, trying to fatten him for winter. He still wasnt sleeping through the night. I really think that is because of his digestion and he is not getting enough calories. So I started putting 1 scoop of Alimentum in his night time bottle and 1/2 teaspoon of Acidophilis in his 6:00am bottle. ITS WORKING! the extra calories help him to sleep and the acidophilis ALLOWS him to sleep. Hoorah!Hey- about TOTS (trick or treat street) It really is for the younger kids, NOT scary at all. Just the right amount of dark, but more cute than scary. My 5 year old has been going for 3 years and he loves it. I will find out about discount tickets...e mail me at Tami.Acord@hotmail.com so I have your e mail and I will let you know where they are.

CHD Awareness

1 in every 120 babies are born with a heart defect. What if that ONE was YOURS?

Our Little Man

We unknowingly became elite members of a world no one wants to be a part of on January 22, 2008 with the birth of our little boy, Nathan, but looking back we can't imagine life any differently. Nathan has had to endure 21 surgeries in the first 25 months of his life including open heart surgery for Tetralogy of Fallot, jaw surgery at 3 days old, 5 cleft surgeries and many surgeries involving his airway, ears, and eyes. He has a g-tube which he uses as his sole source of nutrition. In February 2010 he underwent a second jaw distraction as he was showing signs of right heart failure.

Nathan is our little hero; our witness that prayers are answered individually and that we couldn't be blessed with better family and friends to support us.

A Heart Mother's Poem

One day my world came crashing down,I'll never be the same.They told me that my baby was sick.I thought, "Am I to blame"?I don't think I can handle this.I am really not that strong.It seemed my heart was breaking.I have loved him for so long.I will not give up on this child.I will listen to your advice.I will give my son any chance.No matter what the price.I will learn all that I needTo help my baby thrive.I'll even use that feeding tube.My child must survive!Will he need a lot of therapy?Will he gain the needed weight?Please God, help me do this.As I accept our fate.When the monitors beep at night,it serves as my reminder.How many parents would love that sound.Tomorrow I will be kinder.As another Angel earns his wings,I run to my baby's bed.I watch him sleep for quite a while.I bend down and kiss his head.I cry for the parents whose hearts have been broken.I look to You wondering why?Oh Lord, I just can't know your ways....no matter how I try.And yet, I trust you hold his life,and guide us through each day.My mind says savor each moment he's here,but my heart begs, "PLEASE let him stay"!From pacing the surgical waiting room,to sitting by his bed.From wishing for a good nights sleep,to learning every med.From wondering, "Will he be alright?",to watching him reach out his hands.With every smile my heart just melts,despite life's harsh demands.For all who see that faded line.I look to them and smile.You see my child is loved so much.I would face ANY trial.That scar I trace with my finger(It's the door to his beautiful heart).God must have known how much I'd love him(Just as He loved him from the start).A heart mom is always a heart mom.Now wise beyond her years.For those who have angels in heaven,Our hearts share in all of your tears.Every day I will try and remember,I was chosen for him (and no other).I will always embrace that beautiful day.......When I became a "Heart Mother".~Stephanie HustedMommy to Braeden HLHS post FontanCarepage name: babyhusted

HEART POEM

I "borrowed" this poem off of another blog. I'm not sure who the author is, but it truly touched my heart.(Original version found at http://garyandcamille.blogspot.com Thank you!)Heart Poem:

It's a beautiful day up in heaven. Jesus is rounding up his tiniest angels, to go live on earth, and be born. One of the sweetest angels says to Jesus "I don't want to leave, I like it here, and I will miss you". He reassures the scared little angel that everything will be okay, and that she is just going for a visit. She is still not swayed on this idea. So Jesus kneels down, and says, "How about if you leave half of your heart here with me and take the other half with you, will that be okay?" The angel smiles and says, "I guess that will work". But the little angel is still a little scared. She asks,"Will I be okay with only half of my heart?" Jesus replies,"Of course you will, I have other angels there that will help out, and you will be fine." Then Jesus gives the angel more details about his plan. He says "When you are born, your mommy will be scared, so you have to be strong, and when you feel weak just remember that I have the other half of your heart. Enjoy your time with your family, play and laugh everyday. And when its time to come back to heaven, I will make your heart whole again. Always remember that you are not broken, just torn between two loves."